MELBOURNE // The all-star cast of injured players continue to improve heading into the Australian Open, with Rafael Nadal, Caroline Wozniacki, Serena Williams and the defending champion Kim Clijsters all reporting progress with their respective knocks.
Nadal has had a sore left shoulder, Wozniacki an inflamed left wrist, Williams a sprained left ankle and Clijsters left hip spasms.
Nadal, the Spanish left-hander, has played through the injury since it cropped up late last season, while Wozniacki required treatment during the deciding set of her quarter-final loss at the Sydney International on Wednesday.
Serena pulled out of the Brisbane International last week after twisting her ankle while winning a second-round match, and Clijsters retired from her semi-final.
Yesterday, WTA spokesman Eloise Tyson said Wozniacki had an MRI exam on her wrist that "showed no major damage".
"It's inflamed, and she will continue to have it monitored and it's hopeful she will play the Australian Open," Tyson said.
Serena said "the ankle is better" during a promotional appearance yesterday.
"It's not 100 per cent, but it's better than it was last week," she said. "I feel great. And I feel like I'm really fit. And I feel like this is definitely some of the fittest I have been in my career."
Nadal said: "My shoulder is good. I'll try to do my best."
Clijsters had a scan on her hip, which showed she had not suffered a muscle tear. Yesterday, she trained freely at Melbourne Park and looked to be in strong shape to defend her title.
On Wednesday, Andrea Petkovic withdrew from the Open with a stress fracture in her lower back that could keep her sidelined for two months. The 24-year-old German was seeded 10th.
Roger Federer, the four-time Australian Open champion, pulled out of the Qatar Open last week with a sore back, but has been training in Melbourne without any apparent issues over the past five days.
Maria Sharapova withdrew before the Brisbane tournament with an injured ankle, but has been training in Melbourne ahead of the Monday start of the tournament.
Venus Williams, the elder of the Williams sisters, pulled out of the Australian Open on Monday, prolonging her absence from the WTA tour because of an autoimmune disease that can cause fatigue and joint pain.
* Associated Press
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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Summer special
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Schedule
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Top goalscorers in Europe
34 goals - Robert Lewandowski (68 points)
34 - Ciro Immobile (68)
31 - Cristiano Ronaldo (62)
28 - Timo Werner (56)
25 - Lionel Messi (50)
*29 - Erling Haaland (50)
23 - Romelu Lukaku (46)
23 - Jamie Vardy (46)
*NOTE: Haaland's goals for Salzburg count for 1.5 points per goal. Goals for Dortmund count for two points per goal.
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
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SERIES INFO
Afghanistan v Zimbabwe, Abu Dhabi Sunshine Series
All matches at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Test series
1st Test: Zimbabwe beat Afghanistan by 10 wickets
2nd Test: Wednesday, 10 March – Sunday, 14 March
Play starts at 9.30am
T20 series
1st T20I: Wednesday, 17 March
2nd T20I: Friday, 19 March
3rd T20I: Saturday, 20 March
TV
Supporters in the UAE can watch the matches on the Rabbithole channel on YouTube
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.
The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.
“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.
“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”
Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.
Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.
“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.
Quick facts on cancer
- Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases
- About one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer in their lifetime
- By 2040, global cancer cases are on track to reach 30 million
- 70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries
- This rate is expected to increase to 75 per cent by 2030
- At least one third of common cancers are preventable
- Genetic mutations play a role in 5 per cent to 10 per cent of cancers
- Up to 3.7 million lives could be saved annually by implementing the right health
strategies
- The total annual economic cost of cancer is $1.16 trillion
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The 100 Best Novels in Translation
Boyd Tonkin, Galileo Press